Radiographic film retaining device

Abstract

A radiographic film retaining device for holding a film packet while producing a radiographic image of selected teeth of a patient's mouth is disclosed. The retaining device includes a substantially thin bite portion configured for placement between upper and lower teeth of the patient's mouth and a retaining structure positioned distally of the bite portion. The retaining structure has a film packet gripping structure for holding the film packet lingually adjacent the selected teeth when the bite portion is gripped between the upper and lower teeth. The retaining structure comprises a narrow extension of the bite portion. The film packet gripping structure includes a slit formed and extending through the retaining structure from the distal end thereof toward the bite portion. The device also has means for locating an x-ray machine cone in proper position relative to the film packet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integral, rigid radiographic film retaining device for holding a film packet for use with x-ray equipment having a cylindrical tip while producing a radiographic image of selected teeth of a patient's mouth, said film packet comprising a substantially rectangular piece of radiographic film enclosed within a protective envelope, said retaining device comprising: (a) a bite portion configured for placement between upper and lower teeth of a patient's mouth;   (b) retaining means positioned distally of said bite portion having a U-shaped film packet gripping means for retaining a portion of said film packet such that when said bite portion is gripped between said upper and lower teeth, said retaining means holds said film packet lingually adjacent said selected teeth, said retaining means comprising a distal extension of said bite portion; and   (c) an integral arm extending outwardly of the patient's mouth perpendicular to said film packet and an arcuate x-ray machine tip locator on said arm shaped complementary to said cylindrical tip to engage said tip to direct x-rays toward said film packet, said bite location, said retaining means and said arm being substantially co-planar, said arm having an edge against which said tip may be positioned, said arm and said tip locator cooperating to locate said tip perpendicular to said film packet.   
     
     
       2. The retaining device of claim 1 wherein said bite portion has a longitudinal axis and said film packet gripping means is offset relative to said longitudinal axis, said film packet gripping means and said bite portion defining a substantially rectangular recessed area shaped to receive said selected teeth. 
     
     
       3. A retaining device according to claim 1 in which said film packeting gripping means comprises a slit formed in said retaining means, said slit extending from top to bottom through said distal extension and from an end opposite said bite portion up to said bite portion to selectively retain said film packet in said slit in a plurality of positions of adjustment vertically relative to said extension both above and below said extension. 
     
     
       4. The retaining device of claim 1 where said arcuate tip locator is substantially parallel to a plane substantially perpendicular to said edge, said locator extending both above and below said arm. 
     
     
       5. The retaining device of claim 1 which further comprises a substantially straight handle integral and substantially co-planar with said bite portion, said retaining means and said arm, said handle extending substantially parallel to said slit. 
     
     
       6. The retaining device of claim 1 wherein said slit is shaped and positioned to hold said film packet in a plane substantially transverse to said bite portion.